Recent News

Janie Haddad Tompkins Does More Intros to Downton Abbey

January 5, 2013

We know that sounds a little odd, but, trust us, this is hilarious, even if you’re only knowledge of Downton Abbey is the SNL sketch where they did a promo as if it were on Spike TV. Early last year, there was the first edition of this where Janie Haddad Tompkins, preceding Laura Linney, attempted to intro Masterpiece Theatre on PBS and it was just as great.

Also, there are great cameos from Paul F. Tompkins and Patton Oswalt. Please watch now.

Bill Cosby Makes The Roots Palatable to Senior Citizens

January 5, 2013

Bill Cosby bridged the gap of young and old, new school and old school, North Philly and South Philly all in one fell swoop on his appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night. Hopefully, he’ll make many more such late night appearances this year.

All he did was rap for 50 year olds. Watch parts one and two now.

Soon, You’ll Be Able to See Earwolf As They Are Starting a TV Production Company

January 5, 2013

Soon, You’ll Be Able to See Earwolf As They Are Starting a TV Production Company

LA Comedy Rundown 1/6/13

January 6, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Performance Anxiety @ The Pleasure Chest Tues. Jan. 8th 8PM $7
Airplane! @ Aero Theatre Tues. Jan. 15th 9PM $11

COMEDY CRAWL
50 First Jokes LA @ Downtown Independent Theater 7PM $12
Comedy Central Showcase: Freshman Faces @ Westside Comedy Theater 7PM $5
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Un Cabaret @ First and Hope 8PM $20-$55
French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE
Neal Brennan & Friends @ Westside Comedy Theater 9PM $5
Powerviolence @ Strait Jacket Society 9PM FREE
Top Story Weekly w/Shawn Carlow @ iO West 9PM $5
Gravid Water @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)

OPEN MIC RUN
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 5PM/Ends 7PM/5 min./First come, first served/1 item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/mixed mic
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./One drink min.
FLAPPERS CLAREMONT 532 W. 1st St., Claremont, CA/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary

Comedy Central Officially Making Drunk History a TV Series

January 6, 2013

Comedy Central Officially Making Drunk History a TV Series

OK, 2013, this is the news we’ve been waiting for. Drunk History, the no frills comedy web series where drunk people earnestly try to recount a historical event and re-enactors try to go along with it, is finally going to series at Comedy Central.

If you’re not familiar, start here, then keep checking everyday for a premiere date because you’ll want to.

The Collected Online Thoughts of Dan Harmon To Be Released in Book Form on Tues.

January 6, 2013

Dan Harmon’s blog has been one of the most enlightening and funny things that we have gotten to read on a consistent basis. Now, he’s compiling it all in a book entitled “You’ll Be Perfect When You’re Dead” and is selling on his Harmontown tour and online. Note, it will not be available in Barnes & Noble, etc. just exclusively online and on tour.

Click through the pic for more details because you might really want to get a copy of this.

All Episodes of Billy Eichner’s “Billy On The Street” Available on iTunes

January 6, 2013

All Episodes of Billy Eichner’s “Billy On The Street” Available on iTunes

In case you haven’t been keeping up with “Billy On The Street” or don’t have a cable subscription, here’s your chance to see the hysterical madness of Billy Eichner at your convenience.

LA Comedy Rundown 1/7/13

January 7, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Put Your Hands Together @ UCB Theatre Tues. Jan. 8th 8PM $5
Eddie Izzard: Works in Progress @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre Tues. Jan. 8th-Wed. Jan. 23rd 7:30PM/9:30PM $25

COMEDY CRAWL
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Harmontown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal @ The Virgil 8PM $5
Oh Boy… @ Lola’s 8PM FREE
Tell & Show @ Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe 8PM FREE
Countdown Comedy @ Bruhaus 9PM FREE
Keep It Clean Comedy @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Dat Shit @ Westwood Brew Co 10:30PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HAPPY HOUR STORY EXPERIMENT @ HOLLYWOOD STUDIO BAR & GRILL 6122 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6:30PM/Storytelling only/One item min.
ANCHOR BAR 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5 min.
PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz)/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/No purchase necessary
RAINBOW BAR & GRILL 9015 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up before 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/$2 cover/mixed mic
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:15PM/First come, first served/One item min.
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up 9:30PM/Starts 10PM/Lottery/4 min./No purchase necessary

Here’s The Line-Up for 2013 LA Indie Improv Tournament Starting Tomorrow

January 7, 2013

Here’s The Line-Up for 2013 LA Indie Improv Tournament Starting Tomorrow

It’s only Jan. 7th and things are getting back to full swing in LA comedy from the holidays as evidenced by many things including this LA Indie Improv Tournament organized by all the independent improv groups here in LA.

It starts tomorrow and admission is free.

Jerry Seinfeld Ready to Have More Coffee With More Comedians In His Fancy Cars

January 7, 2013

Jerry Seinfeld Ready to Have More Coffee With More Comedians In His Fancy Cars

Going from a nice little experiment and hanging out with some of his compatriots, Jerry Seinfeld is a filling a season order with Sony.

Curious to see if Seinfeld stops into Intelligentsia or Lamill Coffee in an episode or races Jay Leno.

Yeah, What Steve Said About The Chicago Tribune Said About Heckling Being OK

January 7, 2013

Yeah, What Steve Said About The Chicago Tribune Said About Heckling Being OK

Rather than give direct credence to the egregious article published for The Chicago Tribune (because that old adage of any publicity is good publicity holds up more than ever on the Internet), read refined and established comedy critic Steve Heisler’s response to why that’s not really OK, especially coming from someone who writes about comedy.

Be Part of the Global No Pants Subway Ride Here in LA

January 7, 2013

Be Part of the Global No Pants Subway Ride Here in LA

Yes, we have a subway that works regularly here in Los Angeles along with a gigantic, lively, and vibrant comedy scene, which means it has been part of Improv Everywhere’s Annual No Pants Subway Ride with participating cities around the globe.

It’s pretty awesome every year with people getting a pleasant surprise on mass transit by riding with pants-less people, so don’t make 2013 any different.

Dan Soder Is On Conan Tonight, Also Late Night TV Is Up and Running For 2013

January 7, 2013

After the annual lengthy hiatus of late night talk shows during the holidays, they are all finally back instead of being pre-empted by Christmas and New Year’s Eve specials or airing re-runs. And, what a way to start off with Dan Soder, one of NYC’s most highly regarded up and coming talents, appearing on Conan.

TBS 11PM tonight. Make sure to catch it tonight.

This Better Be Funny Ep. 56 in the Flappers Yoo Hoo “Green Room”

January 8, 2013

This Better Be Funny Ep. 56 in the Flappers Yoo Hoo “Green Room”

This Better Be Funny goes to the green room of a comedy club like the days before podcasts.

Following a performance from Jeremy Paul, both him and Jake partake in the tradition of hanging in the green room at a comedy club. Though, it should be noted the YooHoo Room at Flappers Burbank doesn’t have a green room so much as a sitting area near a bathroom. All the guests are unplanned, but some include Jerry Brandt, Chris Adams, Kris Rubio (who Jeremy is apparently related to), and other such comedians that at one time, years ago, represented comedy in Long Beach, CA, which hardly exists anymore. Also, there are random comedians who argue about Mensa, then appropriately get debated with.

And yes, Jake did the intro while in his car because it’s Monday, you know.

LA Comedy Rundown 1/8/13

January 8, 2013

ON THE HORIZON
Road Dogging-RIP Angelo Bowers @ Sal’s Comedy Hole Fri. Jan. 11th 8PM Donations accepted
Dave Anthony Album Recording @ Nerdmelt Showroom Fri. Jan. 25th 8PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Eddie Izzard: Works in Progress @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 7:30PM/9:30PM $25
LA Indie Improv Tournament @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Bruin Up Some Laughs @ Kerckhoff 8PM FREE
Performance Anxiety @ The Pleasure Chest 8PM $7
Showcase Showdown @ All Star Lanes 8PM FREE
Comedy Central Showcase: Freshman Faces @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $5
Put Your Hands Together @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5 (stand by only)
Sleight of Mouth with Justin Willman @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
The Show Where TREVOR MOORE Does a Talk Show Thing and JOSH FADEM Does Some Stuff Too @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
Blamblamblam @ R-Bar 9PM FREE
Holy Fuck @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE
Before You Were Funny @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Up Top @ Rush Street 10PM FREE
Bertie Stands Up @ The Palace Restaurant 10PM No cover/1 drink min.
Everybody Get In Here: Typhoon Presents The Group Game @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Starts 5PM/3-5 min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
THE MOTH @ BUSBY’S EAST 5364 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Doors at 7PM/Starts 7:30PM sharp/Stories only/must be on theme of clumsy/5 min./10 spots only/lottery/$8
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/lottery/One item min.
PALMS BAR 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Ends 7:55PM/5-7 min./First come, first served/One drink min.
WESTWOOD BREW CO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/5 min.
PEDONE’S PIZZA 1332 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 9:15PM/5-7min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
BLUE GOOSE LOUNGE 5201 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/1 drink min./First come, first served
DAVE’S BAR 708 Broadway, Glendale, CA/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/one item min./8-10 min.
THE PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/Ends 10PM/Lottery/4 min.
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd St. Promenade and 4th St.)/Sign-up 9:45PM/Starts 10PM/lottery/$1 cover
THE COMEDY STORE BELLY ROOM 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 11PM (when Crazy Cindee’s show lets out)/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBOUSE 1107-A North El Centro Ave., Los Angeles, CA /Starts 11PM after TNT Improv/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary

Jimmy Kimmel Live Finally Moves Up to 11:35PM

January 8, 2013

Jimmy Kimmel Live Finally Moves Up to 11:35PM

Hopefully, and we say that very liberally here, nothing will really change content and tone wise about Jimmy Kimmel Live when he moves up to 11:35PM tonight on ABC. So many shows and hosts have had to step back in their persona and styles of humor for moving up an hour, in our opinion to their detriment.

Also, Kimmel not changing a thing except for when he airs would be the best way to make good on all the Leno trash talk he’s been drumming up recently.

Watch Dan Soder’s Nicely Done Late Night Debut on Conan

January 8, 2013

We’re thrilled to see NYC’s Dan Soder have a pretty great late night debut on Conan. He’s in LA for a bit, so go catch him live if you can (check our calendars for listings).

James Adomian Writes a Tribute to The Late Huell Howser

January 8, 2013

James Adomian Writes a Tribute to The Late Huell Howser

One of California’s icons was, whether it be surprising or not, one who marveled at every single bit of it whether it be a tortilla factory or an outdoor bed in the suburbs. This man, Huell Howser, host of California’s Gold, sadly passed away yesterday and the incredibly funny James Adomian, who has done a spot-on impersonation of him for years, wrote a nice tribute in the LA Weekly.

Dan Harmon’s “You’ll Be Perfect When You’re Dead” Now Available

January 8, 2013

Dan Harmon’s “You’ll Be Perfect When You’re Dead” Now Available

Exclusively through Harmontown.com, you too can now know the Internet musings of one Dan Harmon for $15.95 unsigned and $24.95 signed. Trust us, you’re going to want to know them as they were funny enough to have Ryan Stiles, Patton Oswalt, and Eric Idle to drop into Nerdmelt last night on Harmontown.

Fox ADHD to Premiere This Summer

January 8, 2013

Fox ADHD to Premiere This Summer

At the end of this July, starting at 11PM, get ready for some animated awesomeness from Fox’s Animation Domination High-Def with Axe Cop, a series from one of NYC’s coolest comedy duos The Lucas Brothers, and more.

Eddie Pepitone Dies Again In Another Great Heckler Bit on Conan

January 8, 2013

Eddie Pepitone returned to the Conan audience last night to voice his disapproval of his current state of life as their resident heckler. Watch through the whole clip as it extends because of Eddie’s unbreakable commitment to a bit and general hilarity.

LA Comedy Rundown 1/9/13

January 9, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Big Money @ The Virgil Thurs. Jan. 10th 7:30PM
Dave Attell @ Comedy & Magic Club Sat. Jan. 12th 6:45PM/9:30PM $27.50/2 item min.

COMEDY CRAWL
Eddie Izzard: Works in Progress @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 7:30PM/9:30PM $25/2 item min.
Comedy Voltron @ Space 15 Twenty 8PM FREE
Hump Show @ Dangerfield’s 3 8PM FREE
Meltdown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8:30PM $8
The Parlor Social Comedy Show @ Echoes Under Sunset 9PM FREE
Venice Underground @ Townhouse & Del Monte 9PM FREE
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Doug Benson Movie Interruption: Taken 2 @ Cinefamily 10PM $14
Dot Comedy @ Hollywood Laugh Factory 10PM $20-$30/2 drink min.

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
DANGERFIELD’S 3 2524 1/2 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Lottery/3-5min./$2 cover
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/lottery/One item min.
REDWOOD BAR & GRILL 316 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA (Downtown)/Starts 6:30PM/No purchase necessary
DAVE’S CHILLIN’ AND GRILLIN’ 2152 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/Women sign-up only/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/mixed mic
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/First come, first served

The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week at The Nerdist 1/8

January 9, 2013

The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week at The Nerdist 1/8

The first batch of videos from 2013 (yes, the last 5 MIFV was on 1/1, which means all the submissions were from 2012) for the 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos is here and man oh man is it a great one to kick the year off. Cosby, Andre, The Grawlix, and more make this week’s list and you should go check it out now.

If you wish to be in consideration for a future 5 MIFV, please read the submission rules at the bottom of the post at Nerdist.

Tina Fey To Possibly Be Lead in Muppets Next to Ricky Gervais

January 9, 2013

Tina Fey To Possibly Be Lead in Muppets Next to Ricky Gervais

Well, Tina Fey was definitely on a great short list of who would be worthy replacements for Jason Segel and Amy Adams. We hope this works out.

Hey! Who Exactly Is Writing These Reviews of a Banana Slicer?

January 9, 2013

What looks like to be a real handy kitchen utensil has, apparently, been the inspiration for some really funny reviews of the Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer on Amazon. So funny so that perhaps the reviewers are either some jokesters with some spare time on their hands or some people who really need to go outside and have some human interaction.

About every other one is pretty fun, so give them a read right now.